Seraphina sat at her desk, the sleek surface cluttered with files and documents related to the recent merger she had successfully navigated. She had barely settled into her work when a sharp knock echoed through the room, causing her to look up. Her assistant opened the door, her face pale with nervousness.

“Miss Seraphina, your father is here,” she announced, her voice trembling slightly.

Seraphina’s eyes widened in surprise. It wasn’t unusual for her father to visit the office, but it was always planned in advance. This unannounced visit could only mean one thing—something serious was on his mind.

“Send him in,” Seraphina replied, quickly straightening her desk and trying to compose herself. She had a feeling she knew what this was about.

Her father, a tall, imposing man with silver hair and a sharp gaze, entered the office, his presence commanding immediate attention. He was the type of man who could make entire boardrooms fall silent with just a glance, and today was no exception.

“Father,” Seraphina greeted him with a polite smile, standing up from her chair. “This is a surprise. What brings you here?”

He didn’t return her smile. Instead, he studied her with a critical eye, his expression unreadable. “Seraphina, we need to talk.”

She gestured for him to sit, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

He remained standing, his gaze never leaving her face. “I’ve been hearing some troubling reports. Apparently, a man has been visiting you frequently—both at the office and at home. Who is he, and what does he want?”

Seraphina’s heart skipped a beat. She had been careful to keep Michael’s visits discreet, but it seemed word had gotten out. Her father was not the type to tolerate unexplained mysteries, especially when they involved his daughter.

She quickly composed herself, her mind racing for a plausible explanation. The last thing she wanted was for her father to suspect anything unusual. After all, how could she possibly explain the true nature of her connection with Michael?

“Father,” she began, choosing her words carefully, “there’s nothing to worry about. The man you’ve heard about is a consultant I hired to help with a few projects. He’s an expert in crisis management and has been invaluable in handling some recent issues.”

Her father raised an eyebrow, clearly not entirely convinced. “Crisis management? That’s a rather vague description, Seraphina. What kind of crises are we talking about?”

Seraphina maintained her calm demeanor, though her mind was working overtime to construct a believable story. “Just some minor incidents with a few clients,” she lied smoothly. “He’s been helping me ensure that everything runs smoothly. I didn’t want to burden you with the details, but rest assured, it’s all under control.”

Her father narrowed his eyes, still suspicious. “And what about his visits to your home? Is that part of his ‘crisis management’ as well?”

Seraphina cursed inwardly. She hadn’t anticipated that her father would be aware of Michael’s visits to her house. She needed to think quickly.

“He’s been very dedicated to his work,” she said, forcing a small laugh. “Sometimes he stops by to drop off reports or discuss strategies in person. He’s a bit… unconventional in his methods, but he gets results.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Her father’s expression remained skeptical, but he seemed to be considering her explanation. Seraphina knew she had to convince him completely, or else he might start digging deeper, and that was the last thing she needed.

“Father,” she added, softening her tone, “I know you’re just looking out for me, and I appreciate it. But I assure you, there’s nothing inappropriate going on. It’s strictly professional. I’m handling everything.”

There was a long pause as her father continued to study her, searching her face for any signs of deception. Seraphina kept her expression steady, determined not to give anything away.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded slowly. “Very well. I trust your judgment, Seraphina. But remember, if there’s anything—anything at all—that you need help with, you come to me. Understood?”

Seraphina nodded, relief flooding through her. “Of course, Father. Thank you for your concern.”

Her father gave her one last searching look before turning toward the door. “I’ll be watching, Seraphina. Don’t disappoint me.”

With that, he left the office, closing the door behind him with a soft click. As soon as he was gone, Seraphina let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, sinking back into her chair. That had been close—too close.

She ran a hand through her hair, trying to steady her nerves. Michael’s presence in her life was becoming more difficult to explain, and it was only a matter of time before her father’s suspicions grew stronger. She needed to be more careful, more discreet. Otherwise, the delicate balance she was trying to maintain could come crashing down around her.

For now, she had managed to avoid disaster. But the encounter had left her shaken, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get much more complicated.

As soon as Richard Blackwood left Seraphina’s office, a sense of unease settled in his chest. His daughter had always been fiercely independent, but something about her recent behavior and the mysterious man who kept visiting her raised red flags. Richard wasn’t one to take chances, especially when it came to his daughter’s safety.

Back in his own office, he sat down at his desk, deep in thought. He needed to know more about this man, but there was another matter that required his attention first—one that was even more pressing and potentially dangerous.

Reaching for his phone, Richard dialed a number that was etched into his memory. It rang twice before a smooth, familiar voice answered.

“Richard,” Lucian’s voice oozed charm, as always. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I wanted to check in on our ongoing project,” Richard said, keeping his tone businesslike. “How are things progressing with the latest batch?”

“Ah, the glitch drug,” Lucian replied, his tone taking on a more serious note. “Everything is on track. We’ve refined the extraction process, and the potency has increased significantly. The demand is rising, as expected, and we’re preparing to move into the next phase.”

“Good,” Richard said, nodding to himself. “I trust there won’t be any complications?”

“None that I foresee,” Lucian assured him. “Our distribution channels are secure, and the product is performing beyond expectations. We’ve even managed to keep the authorities off our trail—so far.”

“Let’s keep it that way,” Richard replied, his voice firm. “I don’t need to remind you how important this project is to both of us.”

“Of course not,” Lucian said with a slight chuckle. “You know me, Richard. I always deliver.”

Richard allowed himself a small smile. Lucian was a man of his word, even if his methods were unorthodox. But Richard knew better than to trust anyone completely, especially in matters as delicate as this. “I’ll expect a full report by the end of the week.”

“You’ll have it,” Lucian promised. “Is there anything else?”

Richard paused for a moment, considering whether to mention the man visiting Seraphina. But something held him back. Lucian was an invaluable asset in their business dealings, but Richard preferred to keep his family matters separate from their arrangement. There were some things he needed to handle on his own.

“No, that’s all for now,” Richard said finally. “Just make sure everything stays on schedule.”

“Understood. I’ll be in touch,” Lucian replied before the call ended.

Richard set the phone down and leaned back in his chair, his thoughts returning to the mysterious man who had been visiting Seraphina. Whoever he was, Richard intended to find out. But for now, he would handle it discreetly, without involving Lucian. There was no need to mix business with personal matters, especially when the stakes were so high.

As he sat in his office, a plan began to form in his mind. He would have his people investigate this man, quietly and thoroughly. He needed to know who this person was, what he wanted with his daughter, and whether he posed any threat to her—or to the business. And once he had the answers, Richard would decide how best to proceed.

But as he turned his attention back to the ongoing project with Lucian, a sense of unease lingered in the back of his mind. The glitch drug was their most ambitious venture yet, and while Lucian’s reassurances were comforting, Richard knew better than to let his guard down. In this world, trust was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

With a deep breath, Richard refocused on the task at hand. He had built his empire on control, on knowing every detail and ensuring that everything was exactly where it needed to be. And he wasn’t about to let anything—whether it was a mysterious man or a risky business venture—jeopardize that control.

But even as he planned his next move, the shadowy connection between him and Lucian loomed large, a constant reminder that in this game, there were always risks, and the stakes were higher than ever.

End of chapter 11